Surgical instrument



Feb. 20, 1934. (5, K VY 1,947,649

SURGICAL INSTRUMENT Filed Dec. 5, 193].

Patented Feb. 20, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFicE.

3 Claims.

This invention relates to surgical instruments, and aims to provide an instrument to be used for retaining the abdominal viscera away from the wound in suturing the peritoneum.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which may be adjusted for use in suturing the peritoneum, of wounds of various sizes.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an instrument which will be completely enclosed in a removable covering, thereby insuring the sanitation of the instrument, and at the same time eliminating any possibility of the pivoted sections of the instrument pinching the intestines.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a surgical instrument which may be readily adjusted after it has been introduced within the wound inside of the parietal wall thereby insuring the efficiency of the instrument.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of con struction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, may be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure l is a plan view of an instrument constructed in accordance with the invention, the rubber covering being shown in section.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the instrument, the rubber covering being shown in section.

Figure 3 is a fragmental sectional view through the body portion of the instrument.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the instrument comprises arms 5 and 6 respectively, which arms have finger holds '1 arranged at their free ends, so that the instrument may be conveniently operated.

The arms 6 are formed with right angled portions 8 which terminate in blades 9, that extend at oblique angles with respect to the arms 5 and 6.

The reference character 10 designates a bearing block which is formed with openings to accommodate the right angled portions 8 of the arms 5 and 6, so that the arms 5 and 5 may be moved towards and away from each other to accomplish the purpose of the invention.

Pivotally connected with the blades 9, at 11',

i are arms 11, which arms are pivotally connected wall of the opening being formed into a tooth at 12, so that as the finger holds 7 are moved towards each other, the arms 11 will be spread to a position as shown by Figure 1 of the drawing.

It is of course obvious that when the finger holds are moved away from each other, the arms 11 will swing inwardly in parallel relation with each other, and in parallel relation with the blade 9.

Positioned over the arms 11 and blades 9 of the instrument, is a rubber covering 13, which 66 may be slid onto the arms 11 and blades 9 when the instrument is in its closed position, so that when the instrument is opened and the arms 11 move to their extended positions, the covering 13 be stretched over the instrument and 70 provide yieldable upper and lower walls, to prevent the intestines from projecting into the wound during the suturing of the peritoneum.

It will also be seen that this covering encases the pivotal connections between the arms 11 and 76 the blades 9, eliminating any possibility of the collection of blood at these points to render the instrument inoperative.

An opening 14 is formed in the arm 6, one

80 15 to engage the toothed bar 16 which is pivotally connected with the arm 5.

After the instrument has been adjusted, the tooth 15 is moved into engagement with the toothed bar 16, whereupon the cover 13 will act to exert a pressure on the instrument to move the arms 5 and 6 away from each other and cause a binding of the tooth 15 and teeth of the bar 16, holding the instrument in its position of adjustment.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. A surgical instrument comprising a pair of pivotally connected members having outwardly extended blades, finger pieces on the free ends of the pivoted members, a pair of pivotally connected arms connected with the free ends of the blades, said arms and blades forming a quadrangle which expands when the finger pieces are moved together, an elastic member stretched over the arms and blades, covering the arms and blades. said elastic member adapted to normally urge the arms and blades to their closed positions and means for securing the arms and blades in their positions of adjustment.

2. A visceral retainer comprising pivotally connected sections, each section having a blade portion, and a handle portion, pivotally connected arms, the arms being pivotally connected to the blade portions, and a cover for the blades and arms, said cover being constructed of contractable material to move with the blades and arms, to their inactive positions.

3. A visceral retainer comprising pivotally con- 5 nected members having integral arms extending therefrom, arms pivotally connected to the first 

